Feeding of rats that are sick.

[twistedtails]

Is it OK to feed of rodents from a colony that just had a big die off due to sickness? I guess what I'm really trying to ask is if sickness from rats will transfer to snakes also? My buddy that produces rodents just had a die off and says it's ok to still feed the remaining animals off, is this true? I don't want to kill my collection.

[marvint]

no for me. its not worth the risk

[PassionsPythons]

I agree with marvint. I wouldn't risk it. It's to much like playing with a loaded gun. You just don't do it.

[jason79]

Disease can not pass from mammal to reptile. But I never feed any that already died I throw those away. I dont think it can hurt but I still dont do it I have plenty of healthy rats no need to feed a dead one.

[BAMReptiles]

it wont hurt your snake at all. in the wild most predators target the sick and weak. if youre that worried about it tho just freeze them first and that should kill any other organisms they might have

[MarkS]

I've fed rodents that died of natural causes or disease to snakes many times, I've never had a problem. Most diseases are species specific and won't make your snake sick.

[twistedtails]

Thanks guys. I figured it wouldn't hurt them, I'm just a worry wort though. You can never be too cautious in this game.